The hot air balloon is the oldest
successful human-carrying flight technology, dating back to its invention by the
Montgolfier brothers in Annonay, France in 1783. The first flight carrying
humans was made on November 21, 1783, in Paris by Jean-François Pilâtre de
Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes.

the balloon

Hot air balloons that can be
propelled through the air rather than just being pushed along by the wind are
known as airships or, more commonly, thermal airships.

A hot air balloon consists of a bag called the envelope that is capable of
containing heated air. Suspended beneath is the gondola or wicker basket (in
some long-distance or high-altitude balloons, a capsule) which carries the
passengers and a source of heat. The heated air inside the envelope makes it
buoyant since it has a lower density than the relatively cold air outside the
envelope. Unlike gas balloons, the envelope does not have to be sealed at the
bottom since the rising hot air only exerts pressure on the upper hemisphere of
the balloon to provide lift. In today's sport balloons the envelope is generally
made from nylon fabric and the mouth of the balloon (closest to the burner
flame) is made from fire resistant material such as Nomex.